7 Tips for Moving to a Senior Living

TRANSITIONS IN AGING

7 Tips for Moving to a Senior Living Community

The current real estate market is greatly in favor of sellers and many older adults may be considering whether to downsize and move to senior living. After more than a year of remaining close to home due to the pandemic, many older adults are now discovering living life in a community with others is an antidote for isolation.

Senior living communities are for adults ages 55 and older and are typically comprised of cottage homes and apartments. They are often an attractive option because they offer a broad range of amenities that bring like-minded individuals together and can make retirement healthier and more enjoyable than it might be in an average neighborhood. If you are considering a senior living community could be right for you, there are some things you should know.

1. Location

Maybe you want to move closer to children and grandchildren, or stay within a few miles of familiar stores, health care providers, and services you use now. A quick Google search online can help you find communities that cater to older adults nearby or in another area.

2. Living Options and Services

Will this be an interim move, or do you want a community that can serve your needs as they change? Many senior communities offer both independent and assisted living, or personal care, so that you can add on services as you need them, which may be more cost-effective.

3. Experience the Community for yourself

Senior living communities offer life enrichment programming for their residents. Plan a visit on a day when you can see the kinds of programs offered. Many also offer a “trial stay” so that you can experience what a real day would be. Some communities focus on outdoor activities, trips, social, or religious groups, and some offer all of the above. Ask for a calendar of events to see if the offerings appeal to you.

4. Get to Know the Staff and Your Neighbors

You want to live in a community where the management and residents have an excellent relationship. Make sure to meet with management and talk to residents to get a clear picture of what community life is like.

5. Know What You are Looking For

When you know what you want to spend your time doing in retirement, it is easier to choose a place that suits your needs. If you prefer nature, hiking, and the great outdoors, find a place in a rural setting, or if you like shopping, exploring museums, and culture, look for a community in a more urban setting.

6. Understand the Cost

Senior communities typically charge a monthly fee to cover meals, housekeeping, transportation, and activities. Choose a community that fits best with your budget. Often there are incentives for moving in. Ask your contact at the community about current incentives that may be better than usual coming out of the current pandemic.

7. Discover the Amenities

Senior living communities offer an array of features and perks that you would not find in traditional multifamily housing. For example, is transportation available to appointments, or are meals factored into the cost? How far is the nearest hospital? Are religious services on-site? Are pets allowed? What happens if you need a higher level of care? Over the past year, senior living communities have perfected the art of maintaining strict infection control and sanitation standards, as well as providing meaningful ways for residents to safely interact and participate in programs to prevent isolation. Now that many residents and staff are fully vaccinated, residents are once again visiting with family and friends.

Moving to a senior living community is a big step, as many older adults leave homes they have lived in for decades. But the low interest rates are pushing home prices skyward, making this an ideal time to consider cashing in your equity for a lifestyle more ideally suited to your stage in life. Tracy Brannon is executive director at United Church Homes–The Polaris Community, a new luxury independent living apartment community with amenities and services for individuals 55+. United Church Homes also operates St. Michael’s Community, an affordable independent senior living community in Delaware.